Report for WSP, Klickitat County Sheriff and Skamania County Sheriff

One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident on Sept. 26, 2010, at approximately 8:12 a.m. The accident occurred at the intersection of State Route 14 and SR 97.

According to the report, Patricia A. McGarity, 53, Wapato was driving her 2001 Malibu westbound on SR 14, apporaching the stop sign at the upper west junction of SR 14 and SR 97. A 1990 Freightliner semi and two trailers driven by Donald L. Stubbs, 55, Sunnyside was traveling eastbound on SR 14, and proceeded to turn north onto SR 97.

McGarity failed to stop, striking the side of the semi. Her vehicle came to rest blocking the eastbound lane. The semi continued through the intersection, coming to rest on the northbound shoulder of SR 97.

McGarity suffered chest pain and was transported to Mid Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles for observation. Stubbs was not injured.

McGarity was cited for negligent driving.

KLICKITAT COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

On Sept. 21, 2010, the Klickitat County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant during the afternoon at 360 Riverview Road, Wishram.

During the search deputies located numerous marijuana plants growing in the backyard, as well as evidence of previous in-door growing operations. Deputies arrested 67-year-old Ron E. Lathim for manufacturing of a controlled substance and money laundering. Several items of property and U.S. funds have been seized with the intent to forfeit under the Uniformed Controlled Substance Act.

According to Chief Criminal Deputy Kaley, the search warrant and the arrest of Lathim is part of the continued effort to combat the community problems within the small town of Wishram. Over the past month a total of five search warrants have been conducted and eight individuals have been arrested or charged into court on drug related charges.

Several guns, over $30,000 in U.S. currency, vehicles, computers, and street drugs worth in excess of $50,000 have been seized by the sheriff's office. It is the intent of the sheriff's office to have all the money and property forfeited to the sheriff's office drug fund.

The sheriff's office is continuing investigations within the small town and pro-active patrol activities are continuing.

Citizens are encouraged to call (877)288-1926 or 773-4545 if they have any information related to criminal activity in and around the county. Callers may remain anonymous when calling these numbers.

SKAMANIA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

At approximately 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 22, 84-year-old Won Duk Lee of Lakewood walked out to Forest Service Road 56 where a log truck driver spotted him and gave him a ride to the search base located at the Orr Creek Snow Park in northern Skamania County, where he was reunited with family members.

Day and night time search efforts had been ongoing for Lee since he had been reported missing Sept. 20. Lee was picking mushrooms in the Adams Fork Campground area of northern Skamania County in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest when he became disoriented and ended up spending two nights in the forest. Adams Fork Campground is approximately 15 miles northwest of Mt Adams.

Authorities learned after interviewing Lee, that he just kept walking around within a one mile area of where he was last seen. Lee, who cannot hear, saw movement through the trees and noticed it was a log truck driving by. At that point he realized he was near a road and made his way to the 56 Road at Mile post 1, where Charlie Adams, of Adams Trucking in Yakima, stopped and picked him up.

Adams transported Lee to the search base where he was found to be in good condition and was reunited with his family.

Lee survived two nights in the forest without any equipment or supplies. He was wearing rubber boots, rain gear, and several layers of clothing underneath the rain gear. The terrain in the search area is fairly flat with thick timber and brush.

"We are very thankful to have this type of outcome for this incident," said Undersheriff Dave Cox. "With the temperature dropping to 31 degrees last night, we were very concerned for Mr. Lee's well being. We were in the process of ramping up the search efforts this morning when he arrived at the search base. We are very appreciative of the efforts from the search and rescue members that assisted us with this search."